Yesterday, I announced an investigation by my Office's Frauds Bureau, in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations, which resulted in the seizure of 1.7 million counterfeit 3M N95 respirator masks from a Long Island City warehouse before they could be distributed to the public.
The warehouse manager, who was running the operation, has been charged with trademark counterfeiting for possessing and selling the fake medical masks. This defendant allegedly sold false hope and security and was set to sell more of these counterfeit masks to whomever would pay his price.
These phony masks are not just a rip-off of the company - they are a threat to the safety of frontline medical staff and unsuspecting public who could have unwittingly obtained them.
We are living in a horrible pandemic and masks are life-saving equipment for our medical professionals. Every day these essential workers are putting their lives – and their family’s lives - at risk providing healthcare to those affected by this heartless disease. My office has confiscated the bogus merchandise and none of these unsafe masks will be distributed to the public or healthcare workers going forward.
Hundreds of thousands of pieces of other types of PPE – including brand-name hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes, children’s masks, construction masks, and gowns – were also found in the warehouse. My Office investigators have begun working with companies to determine the authenticity of these products. We are also working with our law enforcement partners to further identify anyone who may have purchased these items.
I want to take this opportunity to stress to the public to be vigilant of items you are purchasing. This should also serve as a warning to healthcare agencies and any other organization that might be unaware of this problem of counterfeit PPE. To help avoid counterfeit products, review this list of suggestions and 3M product indications directly from the manufacturer.
